Two Isle of Wight dental surgeries are offering additional appointments, thanks to funding that has been secured.
The practices in Bembridge and Ventnor applied for the funds from NHS England, as previously reported, which will enable them to offer additional appointments on Saturdays - for a limited time.
The appointments are for Islanders who don’t have a regular dentist, or for those who need treatment that is not classed as ‘urgent’.
But NHS England says there may be cases where urgent treatment may be the first part of the treatment plan with an agreed return to have further treatment to resolve any issues.
The news comes after it was revealed concerns about a lack of dentistry services on the Island were raised in a report by Healthwatch Isle of Wight.
As exclusively reported, some Islanders say not being able to get a dentist appointment has “ruined” their life - with others saying their children are nearly 10 and have never seen a dentist.
The MP for the Isle of Wight, Bob Seely wrote a letter to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, echoing the concerns from Islanders, as previously reported.
Welcoming the news, MP Bob Seely told Isle of Wight Radio:
“This funding is an important step to ensuring that Islanders who need dentist appointments get them.
"I welcome the additional funds for practices in Bembridge and Ventnor - which will temporarily provide additional Saturday appointments.
"Last week I wrote to the health secretary to echo concerns voiced by Islanders in a report by Healthwatch Isle of Wight, and I look forward to working with Matt Hancock in the future to improve services. This is the first step towards better dental services on the Island.”
Islanders can then contact the relevant practices to arrange an appointment, which are:
Island Dental care, 42 High Street, Ventnor
Bembridge Dental Practice, Station Road, Bembridge
A spokesperson for NHS England said:
'We can confirm that both [dental] practices are now up and running with additional sessions.
'The practices are in Ventnor and Bembridge. Both are now offering additional appointments on Saturday mornings.
'These sessions are for patients who do not have a regular dentist who require treatment which is not defined as urgent, however there may be cases where urgent treatment may be the first part of the treatment plan with an agreed return to have further treatment to resolve any issues.'
The practices received funding to provide additional sessions which they are providing on Saturday mornings. This is for a limited timescale to increase access to appointments. This will be reviewed to ensure appointments are bring used and are making a difference in access for patients.'
It is not yet known how much funding has been secured, NHS England has been asked.
Islanders looking for a dentist should first call 111 where they can find out which dental practices currently have the capacity.
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